Sheehan boomerangs back to Blues

Carlton will list it's second Irish International rookie this year during the upcoming draft period with Ciaran Sheehan signed to join the club after Ciaran Byrne also signed up in August. Most readers here may remember Sheehan from the dominant Irish team that defeated the Australians in the recent International Rules series in Ireland.

With Irish players in Setanta o'hAilpin and Niall McKeever's AFL careers looking to be over after being delisted by their clubs and Ciaran Kilkenny not making it past Hawthorn's preseason - the AFL would look like having the same number of Irishmen as the 2013 season (with Port Adelaide signing up Daniel Flynn).

But there is also still some hope that the number will increase, as Sean Hurley who attended the 2012 AFL Draft combine could be offered an International Rookie spot by Fremantle after he trials with the club between now and the listing deadlines.

From the AFL website on Hurley - Gumbleton wasn't the only new face at the Dockers’ training session with 21-year-old Irishman Sean Hurley starting a two-week trial with Fremantle before the club decides whether to sign the Gaelic footballer as an international rookie.

"He looked to be going alright. I think he got a little bit sunburnt," Gumbleton said of Hurley."Hopefully the guys can introduce him to a few people and show him around Perth."